Brynkir Woollen Mill was originally built as a corn mill.
The water wheel still turns, but the mill is powered by a water turbine and electricity.
Brynkir Mill was converted to woollen manufacture circa 1850. Between 1900 and 1916 a detached building with rendered walls under a pitched asbestos roof was built on the west side, and between 1916 and 1953 a much larger three-storey range in similar style was added to the rear (north) side.
The former corn mill now contains bobbin-winding and doubling machines, whilst the early 20th century extension houses four Goldthorpe & Co (Huddersfield) and one Dobcross power looms, their patterns controlled by dobbys. The first floor of the three-storey extension is at the same level as the mill entrance through the former corn mill, and contains two 300-spindle spinning mules and a small collection of spinning wheels, yarn scales, hank winders and sock-knitting machines. The basement contains two carding engines and a willying machine; the top (attic) storey contains the mill shop selling the tapestry and blanket products of the mill.
The mill has been in continuous production since 1850. The water wheel is still in situ but out of use; when there is sufficient water a turbine generates electricity providing power for the mill.
Sources:
Welsh Mills Society leaflet
David Gwyn & Merfyn Williams (1996) ‘A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of North West Wales’. Association for Industrial Archaeology
W J Crompton, RCAHMW, 9 September 2010.
Brynkir Woollen Mill, Golan, nr Porthmadog, Caernarfonshire, Wales
Brynkir Woollen Mill was originally built as a corn mill.
The water wheel still turns, but the mill is powered by a water turbine and electricity.
Brynkir Mill was converted to woollen manufacture circa 1850. Between 1900 and 1916 a detached building with rendered walls under a pitched asbestos roof was built on the west side, and between 1916 and 1953 a much larger three-storey range in similar style was added to the rear (north) side.
The former corn mill now contains bobbin-winding and doubling machines, whilst the early 20th century extension houses four Goldthorpe & Co (Huddersfield) and one Dobcross power looms, their patterns controlled by dobbys. The first floor of the three-storey extension is at the same level as the mill entrance through the former corn mill, and contains two 300-spindle spinning mules and a small collection of spinning wheels, yarn scales, hank winders and sock-knitting machines. The basement contains two carding engines and a willying machine; the top (attic) storey contains the mill shop selling the tapestry and blanket products of the mill.
The mill has been in continuous production since 1850. The water wheel is still in situ but out of use; when there is sufficient water a turbine generates electricity providing power for the mill.
Sources:
Welsh Mills Society leaflet
David Gwyn & Merfyn Williams (1996) ‘A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of North West Wales’. Association for Industrial Archaeology
W J Crompton, RCAHMW, 9 September 2010.
Brynkir Woollen Mill, Golan, nr Porthmadog, Caernarfonshire, Wales
Good morning,
I am looking for the email address of Brynkir Woolen Mill because I want to buy a new blanket. I bought one from them years ago and I would like to have another. I hope this will be possible. I hope that whoever reads this can help me.
Yours,
Marianne Carree, Netherlands